Subaru’s Bringing Back One of Its Most Iconic Nameplates Ever

The small Fuji Heavy Industries-owned automaker is gearing up to debut two special concepts in Tokyo.

Red and black STI badge on the rear white panel of a car with a blurred taillight and road background.

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Published October 15, 2025

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Subaru is gearing up to reveal two new STI concepts in Tokyo later this month. The Fuji Heavy Industries-owned automaker just released preliminary info regarding its exhibition at the annual exposition.

But the part we’re most excited about is the confirmation of two new STI concepts. Not only does this corroborate previous rumors of a potential STI comeback. It’s proof in the pudding that Subaru could be reviving one of its most iconic nameplates.

STI could officially be making a comeback

Close-up of a white car fender with a black and red STI badge and bronze wheel in the background. — A dedicated STI model has been truly longed for by Subaru and Japanese sports car fans.

The return of STI has been something Subaru and Japanese sports car fans have been itching for since the last WRX STI. Although Subaru Technica International, the automaker’s in-house motorsports division, hasn’t gone anywhere, they’ve virtually abstained from producing any vehicles for the brand’s lineup.

The performance division did come up with a few, limited-production and special edition models, such as the WRX STI S210. They also made some “lite” STI variants, such as the BRZ tS.

Blue Subaru WRX STI driving on a sunny open road with a red Subaru WRX STI behind. — Subaru fans have been dying for a new STI model after the last WRX STI ended production in 2021.

But the former was a Japanese Domestic Market special only. And the BRZ tS, although it features STI badges and sports subtle performance upgrades over the standard BRZ, isn’t precisely what STI fans truly want.

That’d be a new WRX STI.

The WRX STI could be revived with either gas or electric power

Details are sparse, but that’s because it’s just a teaser at this point. However, Subaru did confirm that there will be not one, but two STI concepts on display at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Close-up of a blue car's front left headlight and wheel in low light. — The Performance-E STI Concept could be Subaru’s pitch at a high-performance STI-based EV.

One version is the Performance-E STI Concept, which is an all-electric vehicle. According to Subaru’s short description, it sounds like a potential pitch for a high-performance battery electric vehicle (BEV) and an EV take on the WRX STI.

The other is the more conventional ‘Performance-B’ STI Concept, which still utilizes a traditional internal combustion engine.

Close-up of a blue car's front left side showing the headlight, hood scoop, and fender with a red accent on the grille. — The Performance-B STI Concept sticks to old-school internal combustion power.

Both are said to sport a performance-tuned all-wheel-drive system. Of course, the electric version will be quite different compared to the ICE version and its incorporation of Subaru’s iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

When an EV sports all-paw traction, it typically utilizes a dual-motor setup, with one sitting at each axle.

Subaru could be getting exciting once again

Blue Subaru WRX STI sedan with large rear spoiler and quad exhausts on a paved desert road. — The return of STI could mark a new chapter for Subaru.

It’s been almost a half a decade since Subaru gave us a full-fledged STI model in the form of a WRX STI. The latter ended production back in 2021 due to inability to get the model compliant with federal emissions regulations in both Europe and the US at the time.

Additionally, Subaru shifted its focus to electrifying its lineup, as opposed to dedicating the resources towards performance vehicles.

Silver Subaru WRX sedan drifting on a gravel surface, kicking up a large cloud of dust with mountains in the background under a clear sky. — No STI model is complete without the ability to play in the dirt.

But with the push towards electrification slowing down and automakers refocusing on internal combustion tech, this could pave the way for Subaru to refocus some of its efforts on the performance cars that really made it famous.

Although Subaru’s also teased us with STI concepts in the past, we can only hope they follow through and actually make them.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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